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Has the Marijuana Tide Turned in the United States?

Apr 26, 2016 /
Feldmann Nagel, LLC

By: Gregory D. Thomas, Esq.

On April 17, 2016, Pennsylvania’s governor signed a measure legalizing
medical marijuana (“MMJ”), potentially establishing one of
the largest MMJ markets in the country. Now that legal MMJ calls 24 states
and the District of Columbia home, this country is two states away from
a majority legalizing MMJ. With Florida and Ohio showing overwhelming
voter support for MMJ of 65% and 74%, respectively, according to a recent
poll by Quinnipiac University, a majority of states could be achieved
as early as November 2016. That same poll shows national support for MMJ
at 81%. Polls in California, Massechusetts and Michigan also show majority
support for recreational marijuana.

In addition, a recent announcement by the Drug Enforcement Administration
(DEA) could mean a change as early as this year in the federal status
of marijuana from a Schedule I Controlled Substance to a Schedule II Controlled
Substance. If the DEA reclassifies marijuana to Schedule II, it means
the federal government acknowledges the drug as having an accepted medical
use. While such a reclassification may not markedly affect the day-to-day
operations of existing MMJ businesses throughout the country, it certainly
bodes well for the future of the industry as other states contemplate
marijuana legalization.

While marijuana has a long way to go before it is accepted in the same
way as, say, alcohol, its future certainly looks brighter than it did
five years ago when MMJ was legal in only sixteen states and recreational
use was illegal in every state.

Please
contact Feldmann Nagel, LLC at (888) 458-0991 for more information on how we can assist you with your
marijuana business law needs.